{"id":92,"date":"2021-06-17T21:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T21:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplypedoortho.com\/blog\/?p=92"},"modified":"2021-07-07T19:20:49","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T19:20:49","slug":"orthodontics-playing-sports-with-braces-invisalign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplypedoorthopelham.com\/blog\/2021\/06\/17\/orthodontics-playing-sports-with-braces-invisalign\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Play Sports If I Have Braces or Invisalign?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether you\u2019re getting braces or Invisalign, an orthodontic treatment is bound to cause some changes in your day-to-day life. Among all of them, many patients wonder if they can still play sports. Thankfully, straightening your smile shouldn\u2019t get in the way of enjoying your favorite activities! However, you will need to take some precautions to keep your treatment on track and your teeth safe. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about playing sports with braces or Invisalign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Playing Sports with Braces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When placed by a highly trained orthodontist, braces won\u2019t get in the way of breathing or make playing sports uncomfortable. The most significant change you\u2019ll need to make in your activities is the type of mouthguard you need to wear. A store-bought boil-and-bite mouthguard won\u2019t provide adequate protection for both your teeth and your orthodontics in the event of an injury, which could lead to cracked teeth, broken braces, and seriously cut lips or cheeks. Instead, you should invest in a custom-made orthodontic mouthguard<\/a>. These appliances are specifically designed to fit comfortably over braces and provide the full amount of protection your smile needs. They may even reduce your risk of concussions!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing Sports with Invisalign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Invisalign aligners resemble the same shape as a mouthguard, they should certainly not be used as such. Invisalign is designed to put pressure on the teeth in order to shift them into place, not protect them from a blow to the mouth! If you try to use your Invisalign aligners as a mouthguard while playing sports, you run the risk of severely damaging your teeth and breaking your aligners. Instead, you should always remove your aligners before practice or a game and store them safely in their carrying case. Just be sure that you\u2019re still wearing them for 20-22 hours a day! Also, you should wear a custom-made athletic sports mouthguard<\/a> to protect your smile as you play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do If You Get Injured<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taking the right precautions can significantly lower your risk of a dental injury or emergency when playing sports with orthodontics. However, accidents still happen, and while your mouthguard may minimize the damage, it may not be able to prevent the injury altogether. Here\u2019s what to do if you sustain the following types of injuries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n